The first of our employees has left. Sure, we’ve had people leave, some recently, but this was the first person who left due to dissolution of the firm.
What a cry fest it was! No crying at the goodbye luncheon – that went very well as everyone recounted their days at the firm (the bosses did not attend, so we could speak freely). But at the end of the day, tears abounded as our friend, a female attorney (who had been with the firm for more than 20 years), packed up her car with the last of her personal items.
A second employee, a secretary (with the firm 19 years), will be leaving at the end of next week. The rest of us are still scrambling.
Not everyone in our office has gotten along over the years, but now that we’re all in the same boat and facing a defined end to our employment, we’re pulling for and helping each other as much as possible. No one wants to see a co-worker unemployed on July 29.
At this point, many of you are thinking,
“That’s all well and good, CookieCakes, but how the hell are you doing in your own job hunt?”
Thank you for asking.
It was just before lunch on Friday, July 1 when the bomb was dropped on me. I had closings that afternoon at the County Clerk’s Office – while there, I began my networking, passing out a number of resumes and obtaining a number of leads. I was told by several people that Attorney X had an opening and pays well, but to stay away because he’s horrible to work for (hello, no one can be worse than my current boss – he’s a screamer and occasionally throws things!)
Upon returning to the office, I emailed some more resumes to attorneys I’ve worked with and then left for the long holiday weekend.
Arriving at work Tuesday morning, I found a return email from an attorney I admire, indicating that she would call me. I then received a call from an agency, with whom I set up an interview.
Next, I sent out a couple of more emails (including Attorney X), and within minutes, received a return email from Attorney X that simply said, “I want to talk to you. Call me.” I did, and set up an interview, which unfortunately won’t be until July 13 due to his busy schedule.
Meanwhile, my boss came to me in mid-morning and said he would be hearing from his new firm “today” with regards to my employment and salary package. I just smiled and replied something to the effect of “Whoever gets to me first.” I had already told him I need to see something in writing from the new firm before making a commitment.
My agency interview was set for Wednesday morning. As I drove into work that day, my cell phone rang – it was the attorney (let’s call him Attorney Y) who has just hired the secretary in our office, and he needs someone with real estate experience! He received my resume from another attorney. Our departing secretary had raved about how well her own interview went, and she is very excited about her upcoming new job. My phone conversation with Attorney Y went exceptionally well. How could I lose? I set up an interview for Friday morning.
The agency interview was a bust. Turns out I have way more contacts that the recruiter does – I had already directly contacted nearly every employer she suggested. So basically, I paid $5 in parking and wasted an entire lunch period. Oh, well, can’t win them all.
Late Wednesday, I received the call from the attorney who had emailed over the weekend. As it turns out, she only has an opening for a secretary in a field other than mine, and while she’d love to find a place for me, we agreed it simply wouldn’t work out at this time. But now she’s helping me look, too – ain’t networking wonderful? However, she cautioned me, “Just don’t go to Attorney X, he’s terrible.” Say what? A colleague is telling me he’s a lunatic? Ah well, I’m not cancelling the July 13 interview.
Friday morning came. My interview with Attorney Y was at 9:00 am. I got there early and drove around to acclimate myself to the neighborhood – a perfect location! Only a 20 minute drive on major roadways – eventually, I could probably start going home for lunch again.
The interview was fantastic. He saw no problem with me continuing my 4-day work week, and daily hours could be 9-5, 8:30-4:30, or whatever, so long as the work got done. Definitely someone I could work with and for, and enjoy it.
Then came the salary discussion.
Turns out Attorney Y only has need for a part-time real estate paralegal and therefore, could not come even close to my current salary requirements.
However – and it’s a big however – the attorney who had passed along my resume shares office space with Attorney Y and also needs a real estate paralegal. Perhaps, if I was willing, they could find some way to structure an arrangement whereby I would work for both of them? “If I was willing?” – hell yeah, bring it on!
It was left that Attorney Y would talk to his colleague over the weekend and get back to me on Monday (tomorrow).
And so I wait.
Meanwhile, when I got back to the office on Friday, I had a phone conversation with yet another attorney concerning a current deal. During the course of the conversation, I mentioned I was a little stressed because I’m in the middle of job hunting, and his immediate reaction was, “Email me!” Which, of course, I did.
By the end of Friday, still no official word from my boss’s new firm as to whether they want me.
And, again, I wait.
What will tomorrow bring? You’ll know as soon as I do!
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Image by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 